At a recent dinner with some friends, one of them gave out five young beefwood saplings in small pots and challenged us to care for them. The one whose plant withered first would treat the rest to a beef steak dinner. I was the only one without living plants at home, so they expected me to lose the challenge. I watered it daily, and it seemed to be alright. Once, I was out of my home all day and neglected to water the plant. The next morning, I found it almost withered. I took a photo, shared it with my friends, and submitted to losing the challenge. I gave it a final cup of water and thought nothing of it. The next morning, I found it sprung back to life. When I sent my friends a photo of the resurrected plant, two admitted that theirs had perished. With regular watering and a new pot, my beefwood plant is growing healthily.

I have developed an affinity for the plant as I care for it. It has become a pleasurable duty to water it daily and a joy to see it grow. It dawned on me that this is also how our Lord Jesus feels when He cares for us. Caring begets compassion. Our spiritual growth is not just a marker to display our discipleship. It is a consequence rooted in an abiding relationship He shares with us. Jesus calls us to abide in Him because, without Him, we can do nothing (John15:5). “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

His care is not merely about providing personal comfort but about nurturing our deeper potential, helping us grow in knowledge and wisdom. God cares for us with intention, allowing difficult experiences at times to push us beyond our comfort zones. He aims at refining our character, like a gardener pruning a plant to help it flourish.

Sometimes, He cares by disciplining us, not to punish us but to guide us back on track, revealing His deep love and commitment to our well-being and long-term growth. “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6, ESV). God cares for our hearts, not just our circumstances. He aims to transform us inwardly, shaping our character to reflect His love, humility, and grace and making us Christlike.

In essence, God’s care in growing us is a profound expression of His amazing love that looks beyond personal interests to our eternal well-being. I have crossed my one hundred days standing in the gap at BTS by the grace of God and will trust in His continuing care and call. BTS is well positioned to grow with constant care from God through Baptist churches and members. Established in 1989 by caring Baptist churches to educate and equip people for full-time ministry in our churches and beyond, her primary and pivotal mission has never changed.

What must also not change is the care of the Baptist pastors, lay leaders and members for BTS’ well-being. BTS’ herculean task of providing sound theological education to produce spiritual leaders for our churches has never been greater in the light of many of our pastors going beyond sixty years of age. BTS can do more and can only do so with the caring resources and support of all the Baptist churches, not just some. Intentionally care for BTS as Jesus cares for us, and see God at work through BTS, serving Singapore and blessing Asia for His glory.

Blessings,

Peter Tang
Interim Managing Director

PS: Project Pipeline 2025 will be held on 21-22 March 2025. Registration is now open—please refer to the flyer for more details.